COURT RECOGNIZES ONUIGBO AS APC SENATORIAL CANDIDATE

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Chief Samuel Onuigbo as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 Abia Central Senatorial district election.

In unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Rita Pemu in Owerri, the court noted that Chief Onuigbo was validly nominated in a primary election that took place on the 28 day of May, 2022.

The court set aside the judgment of a high court in Umuahia, which had earlier confirmed Mr. Emeka Atuma as the authentic candidate of the party for the election.

Justice Pemu directed APC to issue certificate of return to Chief Onuigbo, just as it directed INEC to publish his name as the validly nominated candidate.

Reacting to the judgment, Counsel to the appellant, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed, expressed satisfaction with the decision of the court and called on political parties to get acquainted with the amended electoral act to guide their operations.

Meanwhile Mr. Chuzzy Atama, who represented the first respondent, Mr. Atuma, said they would study the judgment to determine the next line of action.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU